Sports

Hawks’ special season of hope turns gloomier

The hype and hoopla surrounding the Mitchell Jr. C Hawks in their 50th anniversary season in 2016-17 ended abruptly on the ice, and, as it turned out, just as woefully off the ice as well.

At their annual general meeting April 12, it was revealed by outgoing treasurer Nancy Ellens that the Hawks, despite $23,000 more in revenue during the 2016-17 season, ended up with an overall deficit of approximately $9,500. When you add in what is still owed to the unpaid coaching staff, the deficit climbs to between $14,000-$15,000.

“We have a significant journey ahead of us due to maybe an unfortunate year,” said Mark Crawford, the newly-elected president, to the rest of the board of directors. “Going forward we’re going to work really hard and be diligent to get everything back on competitive, stable ground….and we’ll go from there.”

Season passes ($5,435 in 2016-17), playoff gate receipts ($16,719), donations ($21,110) and sponsorships ($22,495) were all up compared to 2015-16 but regular season gate receipts were down slightly by $700 (to $11,987).

Key expenditures were up dramatically such as education and mileage for players ($22,450 paid out this season, compared to $13,325 one year ago), and the cost of obtaining player releases from other teams ($33,650), more than $20,000 higher than in 2015-16.

Busing costs ($11,663) were down slightly compared to last year, while ice rentals were almost identical ($19,543) as well as the cost for referees ($8,000).

Overall expenses topped $131,000 in 2016-17, $26,000 more than the $105,716 the team rang up the year before.

Net proceeds from the fundraising activities the team performed throughout the off-season and during the season were down slightly from $43,563 in 2015-16 to $38,648 this season but that doesn’t include the team’s alumni golf tournament which will take place May 27 just before the organization’s fiscal year-end.

Special 50th anniversary events such as the Hawks’ alumni game against the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni in early January netted $4,600 while the EHC Dubendorf Swiss exhibition game in late December earned $1,549. The annual pigtail fundraiser earned $7,689 compared to $3,462 the year before primarily due to the auction of jerseys this time around.

Gus Eyers, who stepped down as president but remains on the executive in the past president’s capacity, was thrilled with the number of people present for the meeting, saying in previous years only a handful showed up in an official capacity as directors putting a strain on their resources. The following directors were elected to join Barry Dietz and Bill McLaren on the Hawks’ board: Steve Anderson, Jack Chaffe, Rob Jarmuth, Andy Louwagie, Bill Morgan, Daryl O’Connell, Dennis Pauli, Jamie Rolph, Jeff Sykes and Randy Van Bakel.

“I think it’s absolutely marvellous that this many people have come out to show this much interest in this hockey team,” Eyers said. “If each one of you guys have any ideas that we’ve never done before I think you bring them forward to the executive because there’s 1,000 ways to skin a cat….

“Obviously this team is a team that I think has started to gain credibility in this town,” Eyers continued. “It didn’t end up the way we wanted it but sometimes that’s the way it goes.”

Joining the executive in new capacities are Scott Mace as vice-president, Jeff Pauli as treasurer and Brittany Mace as secretary.

Director Nancy Dearing officially handed in her resignation, as did longtime treasurer/secretary Nancy Ellens, but both offered their services to assist at various team functions.

Dan Graul is the new head of hockey operations with Kevin Ward the general manager. Joining the hockey operations staff are Greg Smale, as vice-president; and Cody Feltz as head scout.

Graul said the hockey operations staff is continuing their coaching search for 2017-18 with eight candidates interviewed already, five as head coach and three assistants. More interviews were planned this week. Graul said they hope to recommend to the executive their coaching staff by the end of April.

The Hawks are conducting their spring skate tonight (Wednesday), April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Allman Arena in Stratford. Graul said 36 players were expected to attend.